Why bees matter

Bees are fascinating little creatures that are often misunderstood. The most amazing experience related to beekeeping is simply watching bees as they gently fly in and out of the hive in the morning sunlight. The evenings provide a different experience when bees return to the hive like a torrent of water across the evening sky. Bees become the conduit between two people, much like a pot of tea or coffee; they facilitate enquiry, discussion and more importantly a sense of connection. Honey bees provide a sense of calm for those who watch them, a practice of mindfulness for those who are overwhelmed and as with every individual that walks this earth, beehives are in themselves unique – all exhibiting different personalities, mood swings and periods of wellness and illness.

Bees need our understanding and compassion for a number of important reasons. This is because 80% of the food we eat relies on pollination somewhere down the line and, globally, we no longer have enough bees to pollinate our crops. Toxic pollutants, the loss of habitat and lack of biodiversity diminish the health of our honey bee population and this threatens our own food security. Adelaide Bee Sanctuary promotes the discussion about bees, beekeeping and a greener and more sustainable Adelaide city.

How you can help

You can help bees by planting bee friendly plants, pulling out your weeds rather than using harmful pesticides and buying locally produced honey.